Presidential elections 2022 on July 18, counting, if needed, on July 21: EC

New Delhi, Jun 09: The Election Commission on Thursday said that the election to choose the next President of India will be held on July 18 and the results will be announced on July 21.

Addressing the media, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar said the term of office of President Ram Nath Kovind will be ending on July 24 and an election for the next president is to be held before that day. The new president has to be sworn in by July 25.

Presidential election 2022 to be on July 18: Check full schedule here

As per the Article 54, the President is elected by an Electoral College consisting of elected MP of LS/RS and elected MLAs of the Legislative Assemblies of all States including NCT of Delhi and Puducherry.

4,033 MLAs and 776 MPs to vote in the President elections

Highlights

• The elector has to mark preferences against the names of the candidates, only with a particular pen, provided by the designated official.
• Secretary General, Rajya Sabha will be the the Returning Officer for this election. Poll for which will be taken in the Parliament House and in the premises of State Legislative Assemblies, including NCT of Delhi and UT of Puducherry.
• Nomination can be filed either by the candidate himself or by any of his proposers or seconders between 11 am to 3 pm on the specified days.
• All related Covid-19 safeguards and protocols will be enforced in all the steps of the electoral process.
• Besides, Commission has also directed to ensure the use of eco-friendly and biodegradable materials and eliminate the use of prohibited plastic/materials, as a part of its endeavor to make elections eco-friendly.
• Counting of votes will be held in New Delhi under the supervision of the Returning Officer. On completion of counting, Return of Election will be issued by the Returning Officer

The announcement comes just a day before polls are held to fill 57 vacant Rajya Sabha seats across 15 states.

How is the president elected?

The president is elected by the members of the electoral college consisting of elected members of both houses of Parliament, and elected members of the legislative assemblies of all states including National Capital Territory of Delhi and the Union Territory of Puducherry.

The nominated members of either Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha or legislative assemblies of the states are not eligible to be included in the electoral college and therefore, they are not entitled to participate in the election.

Similarly, members of the legislative councils are also not electors for the presidential election.

For more details click here.